DESCRIPTION: This course comprises the second half of a two-quarter
introduction to biblical Hebrew. Students enrolling in this course have
successfully completed LG502A with Jim W. Adams (transferring between sections
is not permitted). The goal of the combined quarters aims at the student
becoming skilled in the basics of the phonology, morphology, and syntax of
biblical Hebrew. The development of this skill will center on following the
instructional arrangement of Pratico/Van Pelt's Basics of Biblical
Hebrew grammar and workbook.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Through this course the student will be able to pronounce
Hebrew words and read aloud from the Hebrew Bible; display an understanding of
the essential aspects of Hebrew grammar; demonstrate a working knowledge of the
meaning of the most common words in the Hebrew Bible; demonstrate a basic
knowledge of the morphology of Hebrew word forms (especially verbs,
participles, and infinitives); analyze basic Hebrew syntax in order to identify
and understand the significance of common Hebrew grammatical constructions;
translate simple to complex sentences in the Hebrew Bible; utilize a lexicon to
analyze the various ranges of meaning of Hebrew terms; utilize a reference
grammar in advanced grammatical analysis of the Hebrew text.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The study of biblical Hebrew provides the student with
one of the essential and indispensable ways for her to become skilled at
handling the word of God (2 Tim 3:15). Following the example of the great
scribe Ezra (7:6-10), the student who sets his heart to acquire the
fundamentals of biblical Hebrew will be able to study the Old Testament in its
original language and thereby gain a clearer understanding of its message and
demands for today (Neh 8:5-8).
COURSE FORMAT: The class meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions that consist
of lecture, reading and translating from the Hebrew Bible, translation
exercises, and daily quizzes. Attendance is essential for successfully
completing this course and acquiring the skill of reading biblical Hebrew.
Students should expect to spend at least two hours of outside
preparation/homework for every hour of class time.
REQUIRED READING: